Pay by Role
Canada · Salary comparison

Physician Assistant vs Psychiatrist salary

In Canada, a psychiatrist earns about 90% more than a physician assistant $351,566 vs $184,960 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CAD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Physician Assistant
$184,960/yr
Monthly
$15,390
Hourly
$89
Range
$135,049$246,025
10-yr outlook
+27%
Pays more
Healthcare
Psychiatrist
$351,566/yr
Monthly
$29,297
Hourly
$169
Range
$240,801$486,897
10-yr outlook
+8%

Pay range, side by side

PercentilePhysician AssistantPsychiatrist
Entry (10th)$135,049$240,801
25th$159,970$296,219
Median$184,960$351,566
75th$215,458$419,267
Senior (90th)$246,025$486,897

National Canada figures in CAD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a physician assistant or psychiatrist earn more in Canada?
A psychiatrist earns more, at about $498,000 per year vs $262,000 for a physician assistant — roughly 90% ($236,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Canada?
A physician assistant typically earns $191,300–$348,500, while a psychiatrist earns $341,100–$689,700 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Canada?
On a monthly basis before tax, a physician assistant averages about $21,800 and a psychiatrist about $41,500.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Canada, a physician assistant earns about $191,300 while a psychiatrist earns about $341,100 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Canada, a physician assistant earns about $348,500 while a psychiatrist earns about $689,700 per year.
Are physician assistant and psychiatrist similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.